Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The Mainland Premier League resumes today with a single but highly significant fixture as Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) host Mtibwa Sugar at the KMC Complex.

Kickoff is set for 4pm in what promises to be a defining match for both sides, particularly their head coaches, Marcio Maximo and Yusuph Chipo, who are both under pressure to deliver points.

KMC enter the match sitting at the bottom of the league table with just three points from seven matches. Their campaign has been marked by six straight defeats following their only victory of the season, a troubling trend that has raised concerns about confidence and consistency within the squad. Despite the difficult run, Brazilian tactician Marcio Maximo continues to emphasize resilience, discipline and belief.

‘We know the situation we are in, but we cannot afford to give up,’ Maximo said ahead of the match. ‘The players have been working hard and what we need now is composure, discipline and the courage to fight for every moment.

This is a match we must approach with full commitment.’ Mtibwa Sugar, meanwhile, are placed 14th with five points from five matches.

The team has won once, drawn twice and lost twice, but both of those defeats came at the KMC Complex, a ground that has never been kind to them.

Historically, Mtibwa have struggled against KMC, failing to win a single away match at the venue since the hosts were promoted in 2018.

Returning to the top flight this season, Mtibwa Sugar arrive with renewed ambition but still seeking consistency. Their most recent outing – a 2-0 loss to champions Yanga – exposed areas that head coach Yusuf Chipo believes must improve if his side is to secure a positive result today.

‘We know the history, but history does not play the match,’ Chipo said. ‘What matters is how we approach the game today. We respect KMC, especially at home, but we have prepared well and we want to show improvement.

Our focus is on staying organized and using our chances better.’ Both coaches acknowledge one shared challenge: their teams’ struggle to convert chances into goals.

While both sides have shown promising buildup play, poor finishing has cost them crucial points. Maximo and Chipo agree that clinical execution, tactical patience and full concentration throughout the match will be essential.

‘This is a match that can change our direction if we take it seriously,’ Maximo added.

Iringa. Conservation efforts in the Udzungwa and Kilombero landscapes are set to improve following the handover of two new patrol vehicles to the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS).

The Toyota Land Cruisers will allow rangers to access remote forest areas, including mountainous and flood-prone zones that are usually inaccessible during the rainy season.

The vehicles were provided under the Udzungwa Landscape Strategy (ULS), coordinated by STEP. The handover ceremony took place on 24 November 2025 at STEP offices in Wilolesi, Iringa, and was attended by officials from TFS, STEP, ULS and other conservation partners.

Speaking at the event on behalf of TFS Conservation Commissioner, Dr Zainabu Bungwa, Acting Director of Resource Management, said the vehicles will strengthen patrols and improve forest protection.

‘These vehicles will support TFS, surrounding communities and the nation by safeguarding biodiversity and reducing forest destruction,’ she said.

Dr Bungwa said that during the rainy season, many forest areas are inaccessible due to poor infrastructure, but the new vehicles will allow rangers to reach even the most difficult terrain.

TFS also requested that ULS expand conservation projects to Rungwe and Kalambo due to their ecological importance and the threat of forest encroachment.

The two vehicles, valued at Sh323.09 million, are expected to enhance monitoring, field assessments and learning in the forests.

STEP Chief Executive Officer Frank Lihwa said the organisation’s 10-year partnership with TFS has produced positive results in managing the Udzungwa forests. He noted that STEP has also provided patrol and camp equipment, as well as vehicle maintenance tools.

ULS Secretariat Coordinator Trevor Jones described TFS as a key partner in protecting Udzungwa and Kilombero. He said the landscape strategy aims to reduce community dependence on forests, improve collaboration and increase forest protection.

He added that 30 Village Game Scouts have already received specialised patrol training this year.

Udzungwa Forest Reserve Manager Michael Urio welcomed the vehicles, noting that the challenging terrain has long limited patrol capacity. He said the new vehicles will speed up patrols and make it easier to manage difficult areas.

Kilombero Forest Manager Oswald Ford said the support will improve protection of forests that are home to rare species and vital water sources.

The Udzungwa Landscape Strategy is a 20-year initiative funded by the Hempel Foundation and Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation.

It is implemented jointly by STEP, MACCO, TFS and TANAPA with local communities, ensuring conservation is inclusive and sustainable.

Environmental experts praised the strengthened patrol capacity, noting that Udzungwa and Kilombero are key to the ecological network of southern Tanzania. They encouraged other organisations to provide similar strategic support to combat forest degradation.

A few months ago my cousin and I were having one of our long chats. He had just come from a leadership workshop where they discussed how to create psychologically safe workplaces. The conversation then veered towards women, marginalised groups, and emotional safety. My cousin then revealed, ‘I get why this matters, but honestly, I’ve been told to ‘man up’, ‘Jikaze, we ni mwanaume’ my whole life, so I don’t really know what I’m allowed to feel, let alone say.’ He later added, ‘I support this stuff, but I just don’t want to say the wrong thing.’

I remember not exactly having the right words to say. I paused and remember thinking that this was very honest, and I’m sure he is not alone. In writing this article, I am discovering that perhaps workplace inclusion in its entirety isn’t just about making space for others but also about freeing people from outdated expectations. For many men, the unspoken script of masculinity at work says, ‘be tough, don’t show vulnerability, stay in control.’

That script is not only exhausting, it’s isolating. I can only imagine that when men feel like the only options are to dominate or disappear, they either overcompensate or check out, and neither response serves inclusion. So if we want to build workplaces that are truly equitable, we also need to make space for men to redefine what strength looks like. As organisations push for diversity and inclusion, many men are quietly asking: What’s my role in all of this? What if I say the wrong thing and get it wrong? The mistake is thinking inclusion is just a women’s and marginalised individuals’ issue.

The cost of exclusion is measurable; McKinsey reports that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 25 per cent more likely to outperform on profitability.

Yet, only 27 per cent of men in leadership see themselves as ‘strong advocates’ for inclusion, according to LeanIn.org. In East Africa, a 2024 study by the African Leadership Centre found that male-led organisations that embraced shared leadership styles saw a 40 per cent increase in team cohesion and a measurable reduction in attrition rates among women. In short? Inclusion can be strategised and modelled. Inclusive cultures are modelled by those who hold social capital, and in many workplaces, that’s still men.

Masculinity at work has long been defined by dominance, stoicism, and control, traits that reward performance over partnership, but today’s workplace problems – remote disconnection, generational divides, and psychological safety – require vulnerability, collaboration, and emotional fluency – the very traits men have been taught to suppress. Perhaps it’s time to redefine leadership? Not by abandoning masculinity, but by reclaiming it. And what if inclusion wasn’t about making space for others but with them?

Here are 4 ways men can build more inclusive workplaces

1. Shift from defender to listener. You don’t need to have all the answers, but you do need to be present. Instead of jumping to ‘not all men’ or ‘I didn’t mean it like that,’ try ‘Help me better understand how that impacted you.’

2. Practise active amplification. In meetings, use your voice to elevate others. ‘That’s a great idea; let’s go back to what Aisha said,’ or ‘I want to make sure we don’t skip over what John just shared.’

3. Redefine strength as emotional range. Empathy, tenderness, and self-awareness are strengths, not soft skills. Emotional literacy increases trust and reduces fear-based culture.

4. Measure inclusion. Notice who speaks the most in our meetings? Who gets promoted? Who gets interrupted? Ask yourself: What’s our retention rate by gender or ability? Data drives accountability.

In hindsight, here is what I wish I had said to my cousin that day: Inclusion isn’t a guilt trip, and it’s not about silencing yourself to make space for others. Nobody is perfect, and you don’t have to be either to make a meaningful impact. I know of men in the workplace who have definitely impacted me deeply; they didn’t always have the right answers, but they made space for me to belong. They taught me that some of the most respected leaders aren’t the ones who took up the most space, but the ones who made everyone feel they belonged in that space.

Dar es Salaam. Integrating clean energy into agriculture and small-scale production could significantly cut costs, increase output, and improve livelihoods across rural Tanzania, according to new research under the Sustainable Use of Renewable Energy for Production (PURE) project.

The findings were presented at the weekend by project coordinator Jensen Shuma during a stakeholders’ workshop in Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania must urgently fast-track the long-delayed Liganga and Mchuchuma projects or risk missing a narrowing window of opportunity driven by Africa’s rising steel demand and tightening global environmental rules, economists and policy analysts have warned.

Although the projects in the mineral-rich southwestern corridor have been under discussion for more than a decade, analysts say current global trends make rapid implementation essential. Africa’s industrialisation is accelerating, while the global shift toward clean energy is reshaping markets for coal, iron ore and other mineral products.

In Tanzania’s fast-moving digital landscape, the rise of AI-generated content is no longer just a technical concern; it’s becoming a psychological one. As the country navigates political conversations, online activism, and a growing appetite for instant information, the boundary between truth and fabrication has never been thinner.

And with the Personal Data Protection Act now setting stricter rules for how data can be collected, stored, and used, the conversation is turning sharply toward protection not just of privacy, but of the mind. In moments of political tension, the digital atmosphere thickens. Posts spread faster, emotions flare quicker, and the stakes feel higher than ever. Psychologist Dr Sifa Hyera explains that during such periods, ‘the atmosphere is usually tense, and emotions are all over the place.’ AI-doctored content plays directly into this volatility. People often experience heightened anxiety, anger, or distrust because the content feels personally relevant yet deeply deceptive. Political urgency mixes with technological believability, leaving individuals vulnerable to reacting before thinking.

But the deeper danger sits in repeated exposure. Dr Hyera warns that constantly seeing deepfakes or manipulated images ‘can make the line between what’s real and what’s fabricated very blurry.’ Over time, this leads to a phenomenon she calls ‘reality scepticism’, where people begin doubting not just the media, but their own senses. When the masses lose certainty in what is real, authentic information becomes harder to trust, and misinformation.

This erosion of trust is precisely what Tanzania’s Personal Data Protection Act attempts to protect against, ensuring that digital content – especially content involving personal data – is handled responsibly. But laws can only do so much when the psychological impact is already underway.

Nowhere is this emotional volatility more evident than in the rise of digital mob mentality. Social media has created the perfect storm: speed, anonymity, and emotional contagion. Dr Hyera explains that ‘digital mobs often form through rapid, emotionally charged sharing,’ and with anonymity, individuals ‘can feel almost invincible.’

This false sense of protection leads people to share things they normally wouldn’t, act in ways they typically avoid, and throw caution aside. The result is a collective disinhibition that can turn a single fake video into a national crisis.

And once misinformation takes root, the chain reaction is frighteningly predictable. As Dr Hyera describes it, misinformation follows a dangerous psychological progression:

exposure ? perceived danger ? heightened arousal ? herd behaviour ? aggression.

A fake threat can spark real panic. A manipulated image can trigger actual violence. A fabricated narrative can fracture communities.

Living in a digital world where reality can be rewritten at any moment carries long-term consequences. The psychological weight is heavy: chronic stress, cognitive dissonance, paranoia, helplessness, and eroded trust – both in institutions and in each other. Dr Hyera notes that this can even begin to damage people’s ability to form meaningful relationships, a human necessity that becomes harder to fulfil when trust is constantly under attack.

So, what can be done?

On an individual level, Dr Hyera suggests something simple yet transformative: pause.

Pause before sharing.

Pause before reacting.

Pause long enough to verify, seek diverse perspectives, and assess emotional triggers.

But on a national scale, the response must be more structured. Policymakers, mental-health advocates, and digital platforms all carry responsibility. Dr Hyera proposes media-literacy programmes, early-detection tools for misinformation, clearer guidelines for platforms, research funding around psychological resilience, and accessible mental-health support during crises – especially in periods when political tensions ignite digital fires.

The intersection of AI, politics, and psychology is now one of Tanzania’s most urgent conversations. In an era where a single piece of doctored content can distort perception, fuel conflict, or shake a nation’s emotional stability, the question becomes:

How do we safeguard not just our data but our minds?

As Tanzania steps deeper into the age of AI, one truth remains clear – technology may evolve faster than regulation, but understanding its psychological impact might be the most powerful tool we have to protect the public.

Mwanza. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has begun withdrawing treason charges against suspects linked to election-related violence.

The move follows President Hassan’s amnesty, issued during the official opening of Parliament on November 14, 2025, in which she directed the DPP and security agencies to carefully review the cases of youths arrested after the 29 October protests, particularly those who took part without fully grasping the implications of their actions.

Dodoma. The government has cancelled 73 mining and exploration licences as part of a sweeping crackdown on non-performing investors, with the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, warning that Tanzania will no longer tolerate dormant licence holders who deny the nation revenue and economic opportunities.

The revoked licences-44 for exploration and 29 for medium-scale mining-were among 205 licences whose holders were earlier issued with breach notices and directed to rectify violations.

According to the minister, several licence holders never responded, an indication that they were unable or unwilling to meet operational obligations.

‘No mining licence in Tanzania is issued for decoration,’ Minister Mavunde said, addressing journalists and the Tanzania Mining Commission in Dodoma.

‘Some people secure vast areas and leave them idle for years. They do not invest, they do not pay taxes, and they do not create jobs. In short, they are not miners. Those are the licences we are revoking.’

3,000 square kilometres reclaimed for local opportunities

The cancelled licences cover 3,002 square kilometres-equivalent to 742,000 acres-land that the minister says will now be prioritised for allocation to young Tanzanians seeking to participate meaningfully in the mining sector.

Mavunde has instructed the Mining Commission and its regional offices to intensify inspections to identify other dormant licence holders for possible repossession and redistribution.

‘We want these areas to go to serious Tanzanians who will work, pay taxes, and contribute to the country’s development,’ he said.

Minister Mavunde noted that many districts have suffered revenue losses because some licence holders failed to fulfil development contributions and contractual obligations stipulated in their agreements.

The ongoing cancellation drive, he said, is therefore essential to ensure land is returned to productive use and to restore discipline in the sector.

However, the minister was quick to emphasise that the process is not intended to victimise genuine operators.

He said investors who believe their licences were cancelled unfairly-or whose progress reports might not have reached the Ministry-should contact the Ministry of Minerals for review. If it is confirmed that real development activities were underway, a licence may be reinstated.

Mavunde also criticised applicants who provide incomplete or inaccurate contact information, such as generic local government office addresses, which makes it difficult for authorities to engage them during compliance processes.

Small-scale miners have welcomed the move but want the government to extend the crackdown to all levels.

Saul Mwita, a small-scale miner from Mpwapwa District, said some individuals holding ‘small-scale’ licences are, in reality, large operators who block others from accessing land they cannot develop.

‘Licences should come with strict timelines,’ Mwita said.

‘If someone fails to start operations within a given period, the licence should simply expire. This will open opportunities for many of us who are ready to work.’

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Yahya Samamba, assured that the ministry is fully prepared to execute all directives issued by the minister, with the aim of transforming the ministry into one of the best-performing government departments

Dar es Salaam. Stanbic Bank Tanzania and GIZ have launched a national initiative to support 2,000 women and youth food vendors across five regions.

The programme was unveiled at the Stanbic Biashara Incubator after 96 vendors from Coco Beach completed a pilot training that tested the delivery model.

The participants, known locally as Mama Lishe and Baba Lishe, underwent a four-day course delivered by Sido and Stanbic trainers.

The sessions covered business planning, pricing, online business, financial management, customer service, food hygiene and personal development. Many participants asked for continued mentorship to help them apply the lessons consistently.

At the launch, Stanbic Bank distributed 100 energy-efficient stoves, which reduce smoke exposure and fuel costs while supporting the national clean cooking strategy that targets to raise the number of households using clean cooking energy to 80 percent by the year 2034.

The percentage stood at less than 10 in 2023 but until recently, it had risen to just about 30 percent.

The new programme, RISE Mama Lishe, will be implemented in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro and Tanga between September 2025 and December 2026.

It will combine business and financial training, demonstrations on clean cooking, legal clinics and access to suitable financial products. It will also train 200 community champions to mentor other vendors in their markets.

Stanbic Bank has supported similar programmes over the past two years, reaching more than 800 women. Previous phases focused on financial literacy, customer service and clean cooking practices, with participants requesting more frequent training and wider regional coverage.

Acting Head of Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, Stephen Mpuya, said the programme aligns with the bank’s focus on economic inclusion.

He said strengthening food businesses improves household income and planning, while the clean cooking element supports national environmental goals.

GIZ Project manager, Awadh Milasi, said the partnership reflects shared priorities on local economic development and climate action.

He noted that Mama Lishe play an important role in feeding communities and supporting local markets. Sido Director of Training and Regional Administration CPA George Kasinga said the partnership will help build long-term capacity for food vendors and ensure the training addresses real business challenges.

Participants from the pilot reported early improvements in record keeping, food hygiene, customer service and planning.

The national roll-out begins in Dar es Salaam, with additional sessions in Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanga and Dodoma. By the end of 2026, Stanbic Bank and GIZ expect to have trained 2,000 vendors, distributed 2,000 stoves and developed 200 community champions.

Ageing is such an interesting phenomenon. When I was young, I couldn’t wait to grow up so I could make my own decisions without needing my parents’ permission. But now that I am independent and relatively old, some days I need someone to tell me what to do and exactly how to do it. In The Beggar Student by Osamu Dazai, translated by Sam Bett, Osamu experiences the same paradox.

He is a 32-year-old writer, or at least he hopes to be one. He feels defeated after sending his terrible manuscript to his editor. He knows the story is awful but still sends it because he had promised to do so, and he did not want to break that promise; that is not the Japanese way of life.

‘If I hadn’t sent the manuscript today, I would have broken a promise to my editor. You see, I made the dumb mistake of promising to send the story today at the latest.’ As a perfectionist who values keeping your word, it hurts when you fall short. I know because I live by the same terms. I feel bad for breaking a promise but worse for not doing my best. It’s a vicious circle we battle as we age.

As he beats himself up for doing what he hates just to keep his word, he wanders, too ashamed to go home. Along the Tamagawa Canal, he sees a young man swimming happily, naked. Unable to save himself, he decides he must save this young man, whom he believes is in danger.

‘This is a disaster! He is going to drown! So what if I can’t swim? I can’t just let him die! I’m going to die someday; it may as well be now.’

But that is the thing with perceptions. The limits of our experiences shape how we see the world. As he gets down to the bridge, he realises the young man is having the best time of his life and does not need rescuing at all.

He is simply a young man trying to make sense of his own life, as we all are. He struggles with disappointment toward a father he believes should be doing more with his life. He lost his mother. But through it all, he is still searching for a silver lining.

Their meeting begins a day of banter between a young man and an older one. The elder thinks the youth is arrogant; the youth thinks the elder knows it all. Isn’t that always the case in our societies?

But the truth is, young people know exactly who they are and what is best for them based on their own experiences, hopes, and dreams.

The writer, the older man, is so determined to show the boy that he knows better. Whatever the young person says is met with opposition.

‘Clearly, you envy me. When a feeble idiot encounters a youthful genius, it drives him crazy. He needs to shut down every single thing the young guy says to feel superior.’

This small book is more than just the banter between its two main characters. It explores how we perceive criticism, how we relate to others, and how we understand freedom. Everything depends on who we are and what we believe.

For example, the author argues that nature offers no freedom and is not a friend to reason. This is why reason is so compelling: it is what holds society together. Through reason, we can think, plan, and make choices. And the choices we make determine the kind of life we live.

Human beings are self-centred in nature. We are selfish beyond reason. We see this in the writer as the boy shares his life with him. He does not care because it has nothing to do with him.

‘I guess I have no patience listening to people talk about themselves. I try to listen, but in no time, every thought is overshadowed by the question of what any of this has to do with me.’

We often hide our most authentic selves to maintain the image we think others expect, not for them, but for our own comfort. The writer finds himself running an errand for the young man, just to appear humble. That is how we become victims of our own choices.

This philosophical book will have you questioning your sense of self and how others perceive you. It is a longing for youthfulness, a cry for years gone by, and the time you will never retrieve. But it is also a reminder to enjoy life wherever it finds you. There is no better day to be alive than today. There is no better age to be than the age you are now.